This will be hard to word but here goes.... Our family of 4, mom and dad and 2 daughters 18 and 16 are trying to plan our excursions. Problem is however not everyone wants to do the same thing. So.... question - when we purchase shore excursions through Carnival and since we have 2 separate rooms with two separate reservation numbers when I book the excursions do you book by name of person going or do you just buy a seat or spot and anyone of the four of us could go on that particular excursion??? Most likely we will split up and have one adult go with one daughter but I want to be able to adjust if need be. Make any sense at all????

Charley,
Never? Wow. Can you tell me if you have ever had a problem getting back to the ship on time for any reason whatsoever? I have a wild imagination or an overly cautious one and have dreamed up many scary happenings on excursions not booked with the ship. Can you help alleviate those fears?

Originally posted by dhornick:
This will be hard to word but here goes.... Our family of 4, mom and dad and 2 daughters 18 and 16 are trying to plan our excursions. Problem is however not everyone wants to do the same thing. So.... question - when we purchase shore excursions through Carnival and since we have 2 separate rooms with two separate reservation numbers when I book the excursions do you book by name of person going or do you just buy a seat or spot and anyone of the four of us could go on that particular excursion??? Most likely we will split up and have one adult go with one daughter but I want to be able to adjust if need be. Make any sense at all????

Shore excursion information

General Information/Terms & Conditions

Shore excursions are provided by local independent companies whom we select on your behalf. We take reasonable steps to try to ensure that the operators of shore excursions comply with the standards of safety prevailing in the country in question. These standards vary from country to country and even from region to region. We ask the excursion operators to let us know about their safety arrangements in advance. However, it is not possible for us to check every aspect of the shore excursions itself. The vast majority are successful and trouble free. Unfortunately, accidents do happen occasionally and you should take care for your own safety and that of any children there may be in your party. We want you to enjoy every aspect of your holiday so please read the information about the excursions very carefully and take reasonable precautions for your safety.

Reserving your choice of shore excursion
Many of the excursions offered have limited capacity and to avoid disappointment we strongly recommend that you pre-reserve excursions in advance of sailing. To do so, either phone our Reservations Team on the telephone number shown on your booking form. If your choices are available, they will be confirmed immediately.

Alternatively, if you are unable to phone or book on line, please indicate your excursion choices and return your booking form to Carnival Please do not send payment with your booking form. Confirmation of your pre-reserved excursions will be sent to you. Charges for your excursions will be added to your on board account and tickets will be delivered to your cabin.

If you opt to book your excursions on board, you are advised that bookings generally close 48 hours prior to the ship’s arrival in port.

Shore excursion timings
The printed duration times for each excursion are approximate and the departure time on your booking form and excursion ticket will be the time that the last vehicle will leave. Prior to arrival in each port of call, the departure times of each excursion will be confirmed in the ship’s daily newspaper. Timings are subject to change, should the arrival time at any port be delayed, or the itinerary for any particular excursion be amended. Please bear in mind that at some ports of call it will be necessary to walk some distance to reach your mode of transport.

Shore excursion fares
Children’s fares are applicable to 3-12 year olds inclusively. Children aged 13 years and over must purchase adult tickets. Infants under 3 years of age will be carried free of charge, subject to them not occupying a seat and the excursion being available for children (this does not apply to Arcadia or Artemis as these ships do not carry children). On certain excursions child fares are only applicable to children up to a certain age. In these cases, notes have been added to the descriptions advising you that adult tickets should be booked.

Refunds & Cancellations
In the event of any excursion being cancelled for reasons beyond our control, a full refund will be made. However, should any excursion have to be abandoned or amended after setting off due to reasons beyond our control or difficulties en route, the best possible refund will be arranged according to the circumstances.

We regret that we are unable to refund the cost of excursions that are cancelled by passengers after bookings close, generally 48 hours prior to the arrival in port. A cancellation fee of 10% will be charged on any excursion cancelled by passengers before bookings close. Pre-reserved excursions can be cancelled or amended at no cost on line or by phoning Reservations up to 7 days prior to departure. Once the ship has sailed normal cancellation charges apply.

All shore excursions require a minimum participation, which if not achieved, may mean the excursion will be cancelled. In this event an alternative may be offered, otherwise a full refund will be given.

Transport
Standards of transport varies considerably throughout the world. Air-conditioned coaches are not available in some countries, whilst in others, local buses are the best that can be provided. Please also bear in mind that cars, taxis or minibuses may also be used at some ports where coaches are not available, or are limited. Passengers are asked to take care when boarding vehicles particularly bearing in mind that some vehicles have high steps.

Smoking
For the comfort of passengers, smoking is not permitted aboard any sightseeing vehicle.

Escorts
Where possible, a Ship’s Escort will accompany your shore excursion. Escorts are members of the ship’s company who volunteer to participate on a shore excursion. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that every coach or shore excursion will have an Escort, as their participation depends on work schedules and attendance at emergency safety drills on board.

Car hire & private arrangements
If you wish to hire a car, book a private driver and guide for the day, or arrange a private tour for a small group at any of our ports of call, please contact the Shore Excursion Staff on board at least 48 hours in advance of the call date. A non-refundable booking fee of £10 will be applied to each enquiry for car hire and the cost of private arrangements and will be charged to your on board account. Private arrangements will be billed to your on board account.

Car hire, unless otherwise agreed, will be payable in local currency or credit card to the local representative on the day.

If you decide to cancel once confirmation has been received, any cancellation fees incurred will be charged to your on board account.

Activity and Beach/Water related Excursions
An Activity symbol or a beach/water related symbol denotes an activity excursion. You and your party should be aware that by undertaking this excursion you will be involved in a degree of physical exertion and/or activity such as hiking, biking, snorkelling, kayaking, diving etc.

By booking the excursion, you confirm that you and all those in your party are in good physical and mental condition, with no history of seizures, dizziness, fainting, heart condition or respiratory problems. You should also ensure that no one in your party is taking medicine that carries a warning about impairment of physical or mental abilities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in the activities booked.

Carnival Cruises and any employees, officers or agents will not be liable for any loss, damage, or injury sustained by you or a member of your party of whatever kind, nature or description that may arise or is sustained as a result of participation in the excursion activities, unless such loss, damage or injury arises out of the breach of legal duty of P&O Cruises or its suppliers.

For any excursion involving water, passengers are reminded to exercise particular care. Alcohol and eating a full meal should be avoided before swimming. If buoyancy aids are provided for an activity they must be worn at all times. You should bear in mind that the sea is unpredictable. Lifeguards are unlikely to be present and there may not be a flag system to indicate whether or not it is safe to go in the water. You should therefore take care to satisfy yourself as to the safety of the beach and/or the sea at the time of your excursion. All activities on the beach, water and in the sea are undertaken at the passenger's own risk.

Travel insurance
It is essential that before booking any activity excursions you ensure that your travel insurance extends to cover the specified activity. It is your responsibility to obtain adequate insurance.

Shuttle & city transfer service
At many ports of call the ship may berth some distance from the city centre. Passengers who wish to go ashore independently of the Carnival Cruises Shore Excursion Programme will usually find local public transport connections and private taxis close to the port.

At certain ports, taxis may not be readily available at the ship’s side and public transport connections may not be accessible within easy walking distance of the ship. In such cases, Carnival Cruises will arrange a charged shuttle service or a city transfer service. Tickets will be available for sale on board.

Towards responsible tourism
Carnival Cruises care about the environment and we are conscious of the impact that shore excursions may have on local eco-structures and cultural heritage. We strive to minimise the negative impact of our activities and actively seek to offer more responsible forms of tourism.

Part of the joy of travel is to have the opportunity to go off the beaten track and to obtain a privileged insight into the cultural or natural environment of a destination. These types of visits need to be managed sensitively and with care. That is why you will sometimes see a special environmental message alongside the description of a particular shore excursion or may be offered words of advice by your Tour Guides. Please help support our environmental efforts when ashore. By respecting the cultures, traditions and ecology of the places visited with ethically and environmentally responsible behaviour we can help make our visits more rewarding for all.

In conclusion
For the safety and reassurance of passengers, all excursions on our website are operated under the management of local independent companies that we select on your behalf. Only Carnival Cruises authorised Shore Excursion Managers on board are permitted to arrange, or accept payment for such excursions. The information on our website represents Cruises plans and intentions at the time of going to press. For this reason, all information made available on the website and printed in our Shore Excursion Guides is subject to alteration. In the event of such changes or alterations, where possible, you will be advised in advance, and thus all information on our website is subject to alteration.